Apparatus for handling strips



June 17, 1952 v. A. RAYBURN I 7 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIPS OF PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1945 q 8 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 b "a 4 v "a 9 "(L g l I i m 0 9 R a k Q g N v lNVENTUR 1M; RAJ BURN ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 V- A. RAYBURN APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIPS OF PLASTIC MATERIAL June 17, 1952 Filed Aug. 14. 1945 l A RAVBURN ATTORNEY FIG. 3

June 17, 1952 V. A. RAYBURN APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIPS 0F PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR l/.A. RA VBURN ATTORNEY June 17, 1952 v. A. RAYBURN 2,600,574

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIPS OF PLASTIC MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1945 e Sheets-Sheet 4 A T TORNE Y June 17, 1952 v. A. RAYBURN 2,600,574

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIPS 0F PLASTIC MATERIAL Fi led Aug. 14. 1945 a Sheets-Sheet 5 15/ [so [/49 155 I56 r I.

0 0 0 o o i t I53 I f; F I54 I u i- 1 0 16/ W o o o o *1 (:A o o o O O A 3 as) .25 4/ HQ 7 INVENTOR L A. RA BURN A T TORNEY June 17, 1952 v. A. RAYB'URN 2,600,574

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIPS OF PLASTIC MATERIAL INVENTOR M A. RAYBURM 4 T TOP/V5 V Patented June 17, 1952 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIPS OF PLASTIC MATERIAL Vincent A. Rayburn, Baltimore, Md., assigncr to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 14, 1945, Serial No. 610,883

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for handling stripsof plastic material and more particularly to apparatus for cooling and conveying strips of plastic material.

In the manufacture of strips from rubber or rubber-like compounds having high heat retentivities, the compound must be thoroughly mixed, and the mixing thereof heats the compound to a high temperature. Protracted exposure of the compound after being heated by the mixing is likely to impair the qualities of the compound. The compound, after it has been mixed and formed into a strip, retains a considerable amount of heat and frequently must be cooled before it may be subjected to certain subsequent processing operations.

An object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for handling strips of plastic material.

An apparatus forming one embodiment of the invention comprises means for engaging a strip of material therebetween, means for guiding the strip-engaging means, and means for moving the strip-engaging means in unison to advance a strip of material engaged thereby.

This apparatus is provided with conveyer elements, each of which has a pair of roller chains carrying a plurality of slats, which are staggered with respect to the slats of the other conveyer element. Guiding means serve to guide the conveyer elements in substantially parallel paths away from a mill for forming a strip of plastic material and a main driving means advances the conveyer elements in unison while an auxiliary driving means aids in advancing the conveyer elements. The guiding means separates the two conveyer elements at an exit end thereof and a pair of strippers serve to push the strip out of engagement with the conveyer elements at the points at which they are separated, after which a flipper moves the strip away from the stripping means toward a drier and a shearer. Sprays of water are directed upon the strip as it is advanced through the apparatus to cool it.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of an apparatus constituting a specific embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of an apparatus embodying the invention taken along line 1-! of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, horizontal section taken along line 3-3 of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectiontaken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal section taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal section taken along line 1-1 of' Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 8-8 of Fig.1; 7

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal section taken along line ill-l0 'of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line I I-ll of Fig. 3;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken along line l2-l2 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a strip 26 (Fig. 1) made of a plastic material, such as a vulcanizable composition of rubber, .Neoprene orother rubber-like compound, is formed from a mass 2| of the plastic material on a mill 22 of a well known type and is separated from the mill by a suitable stripper 23. The strip 23 is drawn through a cooling tower24, which cools the strip, after which'the strip isJdrawn through a drier 25, which dries the strip, anda shearer 23, which cuts the strip into sheets. The cooler 24, the drier 25 and a shearer 26 are driven by a differential drive assembly 30 (Figs. 7 and 8). The drier 25 is disclosed and claimed in Rayburn Patent 2,501,875,"iss,ued March 28, 1950, the shearer 23 is disclosed and claimed in Bayburn etal. Patent 2,429,944 and Rayburn Patent 2,429,945, both issued October28, 1947, and the differential drive assembly 30 is disclosed and claimed in Rayburn Patent 2,531,644, issued November 28, 1950.

A pair of mill rolls (ii-3i (Fig. 1) serves to roll the mass 21 of material into a continuous strip 20, which is stripped off of the rolls by the stripper 23. The strip 20 is then guided toan entrance 32 formed in a housing 330i the cooler 24, and is advanced intothe housing '33 upon a 'lowerconveyer element 34, just after the latter passes around guide sprockets, which are illustrated by a guide sprocket 35 and are'mounted on a shaft 38. The lowerconveyer element 34 then passes into arcuate portions 36-36 (Figs. 1 and 3) of guide tracks 40-40. The lower conveyer element includes a pair of matched roller chains M-fil (Figs. 5 and 6), and a plurality of T-shaped carrier slats 42-42 having stems 43-43 secured to lugs 45-45 formed on 3 inner links 46-45 of the roller chains. The carrier slats 42-42 are of T-shaped cross section and are positioned with the stems 43-43 of the Ts pointed toward the strip 29.

An upper conveyer element 50 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) includes a pair of matched roller chains 51-51, which are identical with the chains 41-41, and carrier slats 52-52 of T-shaped cross section, which extend between the chains 51-51. The roller chains 51-51 are spaced farther apart than are the roller chains 41-41, and stems 53-53 of the T-shaped slats 52-52 are provided with relieved portions 51-51 at the ends thereof to provide clearance for the roller chains 41-41 wherever the roller chains 41-41 lie in the same plane as the roller chains 51-51. The slats 52-52 are longer than the slats 42-42 and are secured to the chains 51-51 by bored stanchions 54-54, which are secured to lugs 55-55 formed on inner links 55-55 of the chains 51-51.

The conveyer elements 34 and 50 are complementary to each other and the carrier slats of one are staggered with respect to the carrier slats of the other. veyer element are spaced apart a predetermined distance by the carrier slats 42-42, and the chains 51-51 are spaced apart by the carrier slats 53-53 a predetermined distance, which is greater than the distance at which the chains 41-41 are spaced apart. This spacing and the provision of the relieved portions 51-51 in the carrier slats 52-52 permit the chains 41-41 to follow paths parallel to paths of the chains 51-51.

A pair of guide sprockets 69-611 (Figs. 1 and 3) is mounted on a shaft 62. The roller chains 51-51 pass under the guide sprockets 60-50 and the portions thereof passing under the sprockets 50-60 ride in the same plane as the adjacent portions of the roller chains 41-41, which portions are passing through the arcuate portions 33-36 of the guide tracks 49-49, which are J-shaped as viewed in Fig. 1.

The upper and lower conveyer elements 59 and 34 then course upwardly in unison in parallel paths to pairs of guide sprockets 64 and 65 and '66 and 51, respectively (Fig. 2), of identical size, which are mounted on an auxiliary drive shaft 10. As the chains 41-41 and 51-51 leave the arcuate portions -35 of the guide tracks -40 and the sprockets 60- 30, respectively, the stems 43-43 of the carrier slats 42-42 and the stems 53-53 of the carrier slats 52-52 lace the strip 20 therebetween and form it into a zigzag shape. As the upper conveyer element passes to the guide sprockets 64and 65, the lower conveyer element 34 passes to the guide sprockets 66 and 61, the roller chains 51-51 being guided by straight guide tracks 53-58 (Fig. 2) and the roller chains 41-41 being guided by straight portions 59-59 of the guide tracks 40-40. The straight portions 59-59 of the tracks 40-40 are parallel to the straight guide tracks 58-58. The stems 43-43 of the slats 42-42 of the portion of the conveyer element 34 passing upwardly along the straight portions 59-59 lie in a plane spaced a slight distance away from the slats 52-52 of the portion of the upper conveyer element 50 passing upwardly along the straight guide tracks 58-53. This distance is such that the stems 43-43 and 53-53 cause the relatively thick strip 20 to assume a zig-zag shape, and positively engage the strip so that the strip does not slip with respect thereto.

The chains 41- 11 of the lower con- 4 As the conveyer elements 34 and 50 pass onto the sprockets 66 and 61, and 54 and 55, respectively, the strip-engaging stems 43-43 of the slats 42-42 separate somewhat and the stems 53-53 separate substantially a like amount.

However, because the slats 52-52 are staggered with respect to the slats 43-43, the portion of strip 20 adjacent to the sprockets assumes the form of a series of chords so that the strip 20 is not stretched as the conveyer elements pass around the sprockets 64 and 55, and 65 and 61.

The upper conveyer element 50 passes from the guide sprockets 64 and 55 through straight guide, tracks 14-14 to lower guide sprockets 13-13 mounted on a shaft 11. The lower conveyer element 34 passes from the sprockets 6'3 and 61 into straight portions 18-13 of U-shaped guide tracks 15-15, which straight portions parallel the guide tracks 14-14. The conveyer elements straighten as they enter the guide tracks 14-14 and 15-15 so that the stems 43-43 and 53-53 again lie in closely spaced planes, and the portions of the conveyer elements passing downwardly from the sprockets 64 and 95, and 55 and 61 again positively engage the strip 20 and cause it to reassume a zig-zag shape. The strip 29 is not stretched as it is changed from a series of chords back to a zigzag shape because the series of chords are of sufficient length to permit the strip to assume the zig-zag shape.

The U-shaped guide tracks 15-15 are. provided with arcuate portions 16-16 (Fig. 12), which parallel the paths of the chains 51-51 of the upper conveyer element 59 as they pass around the sprockets 13-13. As the conveyer elements 34 and 50 pass around the arcuate portions 16-16 and the sprockets 13-13, respectively, the zig-zag shape of the strip folds somewhat more because the stems 43-43 and 53-53 (Fig. 12) of the slats assume a sweep circle smaller than the pitch circle of the chains and stretching thereof is prevented.

The lower conveyer element passes from the arcuate portions 15-16 of the U-shaped guide tracks 15-15 upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1, through straight portions 19-19 of the tracks 15-15 to sprockets and '81 (Fig. 2) mounted on an auxiliary drive shaft 81. The upper conveyer element 50 passes from the guide sprockets 13-13 upwardly, as viewed in Fig. l, to sprockets 83 and 84 mounted on the shaft 31, the chains 51-51 thereof being guided by straight guide tracks 35-85, which keep these portions of the chains 51-51 parallel to the adjacent portions of the chains 4l-41. The chains of the upper conveyer element then are guided downwardly through straight guide tracks 85-85 to sprockets 83-80 mounted on a shaft 89. The chains of the lower conveyer element parallel the paths of the chains of the upper conveyer element and pass through U-shaped guide tracks 86-86, which are identical with the guide tracks 15-15, to drive sprockets 90 and 91 mounted on a main drive shaft 92. The upper conveyer element passes upwardly from the sprockets 83-38 through guide tracks 93-93 to sprockets '94 and secured on the shaft 92.

The main drive shaft 92 is driven bya drive chain 96 through a sprocket 91, and the sprockets 30, 91, 94 and 95 are keyed to the shaft 92. The teeth of the drive sprockets 90 and 91 are aligned with respect to each other, while the teeth of the drive sprockets 94 and 95 are aligned with respect 5 to each other, but are staggered with respect to the teeth of the drive'sprockets 90 and 9|. This staggering maintains the slats 42-42 staggered with respect to the slats 52-52 throughout the paths of the conveyer elements 34 and 50.

The drive shaft 92 drives a frictionally driven sprocket 99 through an adjustable friction clutch 98. The sprocket 99, through a chain I02, drives a sprocket I keyed to the auxiliary drive shaft 81. The sprocket 99 is larger than the sprocket I00 by such an amount that the main drive shaft 92 tends to drive the auxiliary drive shaft 81 at a rate of speed about faster than that of the main drive shaft. I

A sprocket I03 mounted on the shaft 3? is driven through an adjustable friction clutch |0I and drives, through a drive chain I05,-a sprocket I04 keyed to the auxiliary drive shaft I0. The sprocket I03 is enough larger than the sprocket I04 to cause the shaft 01 to tend to drive the shaft 70 at a rate of speed about 5% in excess of that of the shaft 81. Y

The sprockets 64 and 66 are mounted rotatably upon the shaft I0 so that they are free to change their positions to adjust for pitch inequalities of the chains of the conveyer elements 34 and 50 and the sprockets around which the chains pass. However, the sprocket 65 is keyed to the shaft I0- and the sprocket 5'! is secured to the shaft 19 by an adjustable friction clutch IIO so that the sprockets 05 and 6'! are driven by the shaft I0. The sprockets 80 and 83 are freely rotatable on the shaft 81, but the sprocket 8| is secured to the shaft 81 by an adjustable friction clutch I I I, and the sprocket 84 is keyed to the shaft 81 so that the sprockets 8| and 84 are driven by the shaft 81. The sprockets 65 and 61 are mounted upon th upperend of the shaft I0, as viewed in Fig. 2, while the sprockets BI and 84 are mounted upon the lower end of the shaft 81 so that the tensions of the upper ones of the roller chains 4I-4I and 5I-5I and the lower ones of the roller chains 4|-4| and 5I-5I will be substantially balanced. The sprockets 8|, 84, 55 and B'I take part of the load from the sprockets 90, 9|, 94 and 95 secured to the main drive shaft and thereby prevent excess tensions from being placed upon the portions of the chains 4I-4I and 5|- 5| passing to the sprockets 99 and 9|, and 94 and 95, respectively. The sprockets 64, 65, 66, 61, 80, 8|, 83, 04, 90, 9|, 94 and 95 are all of the same size. Thus, the sprockets 65, 61, 8| and 84, which are overdriven, tend to drive the roller chains of the conveyer elements at rates of speed in excess of that at which the sprockets 90, 9|, 94 and 95 drive the chains. However, these rates of speed are equalized through the adjustable friction clutches 99 and IOI, which slip as they are driven.

The friction clutches I I0 and III permit the sprockets 61 and BI, respectively, to adjust themselves slightly with respect to the sprockets 65 and 84, respectively, so that the conveyer element 34 can adjust itself slightly relative to the conveyer element 50. This, plus the adjustability of the sprockets 64, 6E, 80 and 83, avoids problems, which might be caused by inequalities in the pitch of the roller chains 4I-4I and 5I-5I and the sprockets around which these chains pass, if the sprockets mounted on the shafts I0 and 8'! were all keyed thereto.

The sprockets 60-50, 73-13 and 08-88 (Fig. 3) are of the same size as the sprockets secured to the shafts I0, 81 and 92 (Fig. 2). The size of these sprockets is chosen with respect to .the pitch of the chains 4I-4I-and 5I-5I and-the distances which the stems 43-43 of the-slats 42- 42 and the stems 53-53 of the slats 52-52 -are offset from the centerlines of the chains 4I-4I' and 5I-5I, respectively, and are large enough to prevent any permanent deformation of the strip 20 as the strip is carried around these sprockets. These sprockets are also largeenough to causev the curved portions of the-guide tracks 40-40, -15 and 86-85 to have a pitch-circle large enough to' permit the rollerchains- 4I' to roll therealong without scraping between the links thereof and the-curved portions of the guide tracks, which function is clearly illustrated in Fig-l2. The relieved portions 51-51 of the stems 53-53 of the upper conveyer element also provide clearance for these curved portions-of the guide tracks guiding the lower conveyer element so that the chains 4I-4I and 5| 5| may pass in parallel paths as the conveyer elements curve.

Asthe strip is advanced through the housing 33, cold water from pipes II2-I I2 (Figs. 1

i and 2) is sprayed from nozzles II 3- 3 upon portions of the surfaces of the strip 20 are con- I tacted by the cold water which rapidly cools the strip 20.

The upper conveyer element 50 passes from the sprockets 94 and downwardly through straight guide tracks I20I20 (Fig. 2) and under sprockets I2I-I2I (Fig. 3) and the lower conveyer element 34 passes through straight portions I22-I22 of guide tracks I23-I23 into curved portions I24-I24 of the guide tracks I23-I23. The guide tracks I23-I23 are L-shaped, as viewed in Fig. l, and guide the lower conveyer element in a path diverging from the path in which the upper conveyer element is guided by the guide tracks I20-I20 and the sprockets I2I-I2I. As the lower conveyer element is guided away from the upper conveyer element, an upper stripper I25 (Figs. 1 and 3) having blades I26-I26 positioned radially on a shaft I21, to which shaft the sprockets I2I-I2I are keyed, serves to pushthe strip 20 away from the slats 52-52 of the portion of the upper conveyer element passing around the sprockets I2I-I2I. Theblades I28-I25 project between and beyondthe slats 52-52 and posi tively push the strip 20 from the slats 53-53. The upper conveyer element then passes upwardly .to idler sprockets illustrated by idler sprocket I29, around these idler sprockets, over to idler sprockets illustrated by idler sprocket I30, around the latter, and downwardly to the sprockets 50-60. The roller chains 5I-5I drive the sprockets I2I-I2I, which drive the shaft I21 and the stripper I25 in synchronization with the upper conveyer element so that there is no interference between the slats 53-53 and the blades I Sit-I26 as the upper conveyer element is advanced around the sprockets I2I-I2I'.

The guide tracks I23-I23 also are provided with straight portions I3I-I3I, which guide the roller chains 4|4l to sprockets I28-I28 (Fig. 4) secured to a shaft I34. A lower stripper I32 secured to the shaft I34 is provided with a plurality of radially arranged blades I33-I33, which move in synchronization with the lower conveyer element 34 and. project betweenand beyond the slats 42-42 of the lower conveyer element. The stripper I32 serves to breakthe strip away from the stems 43-43 of the slats 42-42. The lower conveyer element 34 then passes from the sprockets I28-I28 under wide idler wheels I44-I44 to; the guide sprockets -35.

The blades I33-I33 are provided with notches I35-I35 positioned along. their lengths. A guide-out roller I36, I-I40 spaced along the length thereof, is positioned with the annular ribs I40-I40 projecting into the notches I35-I35. A drive chain-I4I driven by a sprocket I42 secured to the, shaft. I34 serves to rotate the guide-out roller I40 through a sprocket, I43, which is smaller than the sprocket I42. The guide-out roller I33 is rotated at such a rate of speed that theperipheries of the annular portions I40-I40 move more rapidly than that at which the strip 20 is. advanced by the lower conveyer element 34 so that the guide-outv roller tends to flip the strip 20 over it and prevent any jamming of the strip 20 as it leaves the lower conveyer element. After the strip 20 has passed over the guide-out roller I40, it passes between drier rolls I45-I45 of the drier 25,. which serve to remove any moisture therefrom, and thence into shearer rolls I 45-I46, which cut the strip into slabs.

The shaft 83 (Fig. 3) is mounted in bearings 300 and 3M mounted on angle irons 302 and 303 positioned on the outside of the housing 33. The housing 33 has a hole 304 (Fig. 11) formed therein through which hole the left end ofthe shaft 39, as viewed in Fig. 11, and a collar 305 project. The collar fits closely between the sprocket 08 and the bearing 300, and is provided with an annular rib 3"], which fits into a cavity 3 formed by a dished plate 3I2. The dished plate 3I2 is secured to the outside of the housing 33 and has a hole 3I3 formed therein which provides a slight clearance for the collar 305. A dished plate 3I4 having a hole ,3I5 therein is secured to the plate 3I2, and holds an annular packing 320 against the dished plate 3I2. The packing fits tightly around the collar 335 and prevents water from escaping beyond the cavity 3I I. The hole 304 is larger than the hole 3I3 so that excess water entering and accumulating in the cavity 3II pours into the housing 33 through the hole 304 and is prevented in this manner from rising high enough to pass through the hole 3I3. The rib 3I0 is spaced close to the walls of the cavity and water entering therebetween forms a thin film which adheres to the walls-of the cavity and the surfaces of the rib 3I0. Thus, water is prevented from escaping from inside housing.

The collar 305, the housing 33, the plates 3I2 and 3 I4 and the packing 320 form a gland designated generally by the numeral 32I, and similar glands are positioned near the ends of the shafts 62, 10, 11, 81, 89, 92 and I34 (Fig. l) and shafts. 322 and 323, all of which shafts are mounted in bearings 324-324 similar to the bearings 300 and SM.

The shaft 30 (Figs. 9 and 10) is mounted in an adjustment and sealing mechanisms illustrated by an adjustment and sealing mechanism 329, which includes slotted bearings illustrated by a slotted bearing 330, which bearings are identically mounted in guide bars illustrated by guide bars 33I-33I mounted rigidly on angle irons 345 and 341. The bearing 330 abuts spacing' tubes-332-332 and 333-333, which are slidhaving annular ribs iii ably mounted on the guide bars.

wrench (not shown) to adjust the position ofthe, bearing 330 relative to the guide bars;

33I-33 l, and maybe locked in its adjusted position by a lock nut 350. Thus, the shaft 38 can be moved to the right, or the left, as viewed in Fig 9, to loosen or tighten the conveyer element 34. Since the sprockets illustrated by the sprocket 35 are engaged by a portion of the conveyer element 34 which does not parallel any portion of the conveyer element 50, the conveyer element 34 may be tightened or loosened without disturbing the indexed re lationship of the slats 42-42 with regard to the slats 53-53.

A gland 35I of the adjusting and sealing mechanism 329 includes a plate 352 fastened to the spacing tubes 332-332 and 333-333 by plates 353 and 354, respectively. The plate 352 is slidably mounted between the housing 33 and a plate 355, and is slid therein when the hearing 330 is adjusted. Qvate openings 350 and 33I formed in the housing 33 and the plate 352, respectively, provide clearance for the plates 354-354 and the shaft 33 when the bearing 339 and the shaft 38 are adjusted. A collar 362, plates 333 and 364 and a packing 355- are similar in construction to the collar 305 (Fig. 11), the plates 3I2 and 3M and the packing 323, respectively, and with the plate 352 provide an effective seal around the shaft 38.

The shaft I21 (Fig. 3) is mounted by adjustment and sealing mechanisms 310-319, which are identical with the adjustment and sealing mechanism 329, but are positioned substantially in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, from the mechanism 329. Thus, the conveyer element 50 may be tightened or slacked, and since the portion of the conveyor element 50 passing around the sprockets I2I-I2I is not coursing with the conveyer element 34, tightening or slacking the upper conveyer element at this point does not affect the indexing of the slats 52-52 with respect to the slats 42-42. The adjustment and sealing mechanisms illustrated by the mechanism 329 and the mechanisms 310-310 provide independent adjustments of the shafts 38 and I21, respectively.

An electric motor I5! (Figs. 7 and 13) of the diiferential drive assembly 33, when energized, through a variable gear reduction box I52 and a gear reduction box 549, serves to drive a oneway clutch I53, which is mounted on a shaft I54. A second electric motor I55, when energized, serves, through a gear reduction box I55, to drive a shaft I50, which drives the drier rolls I45-I45 and the shearer rolls Hit-I46. The shaft I50, through a drive chain I52, rotates a second one-way clutch IGI mounted on the shaft I54. A sprocket I33 keyed to the shaft I54 drives the drive chain 36, and the conveyer elements 34 and 53 are driven whenever the shaft I54 is driven. The motor I5I rotates the shaft I54 atone speed, and the second motor I55 through the one-way clutch IBI rotates the shaft I54 at a slower speed than that at which the shaft is rotated by the motor I5I. The

9 clutches I53 and I6! are so mounted on the shaft I54 that each rotates the shaft I54 in the same direction. Since the clutches I53 and IBI are one-way clutches, when either the motor II the motor I55 is energized, there is no force exerted between the shaft I54 and the one-way clutch associated with the unenergized motor. Hence, the unenergized motor (lloes not interfere with the rotation of the shaft A control circuit for the motors I5I and I55 (Fig. 13) comprises a power line I10, which includes conductors I1I, I12 and I13 and serves as a source of power to the motor I5I. A holding relay I 14 controls the operation of the .motor I 5I and includes contactors I15I15 and contacts I16-I10 in the power line I10. The contactors I15I15 normally are out of engagement with the contacts I16I16, but are moved into engagement with the contacts I18- I16 to energize the motor I 5| when a winding I80 of the relay I14 is energized. A holding contactor I8I of the relay I14 also is moved into engagement with a holding contact I82 there= of when the winding I80 is energized.

To initially energize the winding I89, a normally-open, momentary, starting switch I83 is closed. The closing of the switch I83 closes a circuit from the power line I10 to the winding I80 through conductors I13, I84 and I85, the starting switch I83, conductors I88 and I81, a normally-closed, momentary, stopping switch I90, a conductor I 9|, a contactor I92 and a contact I93 of a block-out relay I94, a conductor I95, a safety stop switch I96, contacts I91- I91 and a contactor I98 of a safety holding switch I99, a conductor 200, the winding I80, and conductors 20I, 202 and I 12. The contactors I15-I15 then are moved into engagement with the contacts ITS-I16 and the motor I Si is energized, whereby the cooler 24 is driven.

In order to energize the winding I80, a cover 203 (Figs. -8 and 9) for the entrance 32 must be in the position in which it is shown in broken lines in Fig. 9, which position is designated its partially open position. When the cover is in its partially open position, a cam 204 movable therewith pivots an arm 205 of the switch I99, whereby the contactor I98 is moved into engagement with the contacts and a contactor 295 (Fig. 13) of the switch I99 is moved out of engagement with contacts 291 and'208 thereof. Hooks 289-209 (Figs. 8 and 9) rigidly fastened to a rotatable rod 2I0 may be used to engage a bar 2 to prevent the cover from falling from its partially open position to the position in which it is shown in full lines, which position is designated its closed postion. When the cover is in its closed position, the arm 205 holds the contactor 295 (Fig. 13) of the switch I99 in engagement with the contacts 201 and 288 andthe contactor I98 out of engagement with the contacts I 91I91.

When the cover 203 is latched in its partially open position by the hooks 209209 and the winding I80 is energized as described hereinabove, the contactor I8I is moved into engagement with the contact I82, which engagement closes aholding circuit for the winding I80, and the starting switch I83 then is opened. However, after the starting switch I83 is opened, the winding I89 is energized through the following circuit: the conductor I84, the contactor I8I, the contact I82, conductors 2H and I81, the stopping switch I90, the conductor I9I, the

contactor I92, the contact I93, the conductor I95, the switch I96, the contacts I91--I91, the

contactor I98, the conductor 200, the winding I and the conductors 20I and 202. To deenergize the motor I5I, the stopping switch I is opened, which breaks the circuit to the winding I80, and the contactors I15I15 and I8I fall out of engagement with the contacts I16 I16 and I82, respectively.

A motor 2I3 for varying the ratio between the input speed and the output speed of the gear reducer I52 to adjust the speed of the cooler 24 is controlled by a switch 2M. The motor 2I3 is connected to the conductor I12 by a conductor 2I5 and to contacts 2H5 and 2I1 by conductors 2I3 and 2I9, respectively. A contactor 220 normally is in engagement with the contact 211 and a contact 22l but may be moved out of engagement with these contacts and into engagement with contacts 223 and 224 to increase the output speed of the variable gear box I52. When the contactor 229 is moved into engagement with the contacts 223 and 224, and the holding relay I14 has been actuated to move the contactors I15I15 into engagement with the contacts I16--I19, to drive in a predetermined direction to increase the output speedof the gear box, the motor 2 I3 is energized through the following circuit: the conductors I12; and 2 I5, the winding of the motor 2 I3, the conductor 2I9, the contact 2I6, a contactor 225, a contact 229, a conductor 22.1, the contact 223, the contactor 229',- the contact 224 and conductors 228, 229 and I13. When the output speed of the variable gear box has been raised as high as desired, the contactor 229 is moved out of engagement with the contacts 223 and 224 and into engagement with the contacts 2I1 and HI,

whereby thecircuit to the motor 2| 3 is broken and the motor is stopped leaving the variable gear box I52 in its adjusted condition.

If it is desired to decrease the speed of the cooling tower 24, after the contactors I15I15 have been moved into engagement with the contacts I18-I18, the contactor 225 is moved out of engagement with the contacts 2I6 and 226 and into engagement with contacts 230 and 23L Upon engagement of the contactor 225 with the contacts 230 and 23I, the motor 2I3 is energized through the following circuit: the conductors I12 and M5, the winding of the motor 2I3, the conductor 2I9, the contact 228, the contactor 229, the contact 22I, a conductor 233, the contact-239, the contactor 225, the contact 23I and conductors 234, 229 and I13. This causes the motor 2I3 to be driven in a direction opposite to the direction in which it increases the output speed of the variable gear box I52, in which opposite direction the output speed of the variable gear box is decreased. After the output speed of the variable gear box has been reduced the desired amount, the contactor 225 is moved out of engagement with the contacts 230 and 23I to break the circuit to the motor 2I3 and back into engagement with the contacts 2| 5 and 226, whereby the motor 2i 3 .is stopped.

When it is desired to drive the drier .25 and the shearer 26 as well as the cooling tower .24, the cover 293 is moved to its closed position. When the cover is closed, the cam 204 moves the arm 285 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, and the arm 295 moves the contactor I98 (Fig. 13) out of engagement with the contacts I91 so that the motor I5,I can not be en-- 11 ergized, and moves the contactor 225 into-engagement with the contacts 291 and 298 so that the motor I55 can be energizedin a manner indicated hereinbelow. A holding relay 249 serves 245, which are brought into engagement with each other when the winding 24I is energized.

To initially energize the winding 24L a nor- --mally-open, momentary starting switch 226 is closed. The winding 24I of the relay 240 then is energized through the following circuit: con- "ductors 249, 259 and L the starting switch 245, conductors 248 and 241, a normally-closed,

momentary stopping switch 252, a conductor 253,

a contact 254 of a jogging switch 255, a contactor 258, which is in engagement with a contact 259, the contact 259, conductors 299 and 29I, a contactor 262 of a block-out relay 253, a contact 265, a conductor 256, the contact 29?, the contactor 299, the contact 298, a conductor 23?,

the winding 24I and conductors 219, 2H and 238.

After the winding 22I has been energized, the contactors 242-242 are moved into engagement with the contacts 243-243, whereby the motor I55 is energized, and the contactor 244 is moved into engagement with the contact 245. When "thecontactors'242-242 are in engagement with the contacts 243-243, the motor I55 is energized and drives the cooler 24, the drier 25 and a shearer 26.

After the winding 24I of the holding relay 2'40-has been energized, the contactors 242- 42 and 244 are moved into engagement with the contacts 243-243 and 245, respectively. The starting switch 249 then is released but the wind- 'ing 24I remains energized through the following holding circuit: conductors 239 and 249, the contactor 244, the contact 245, conductors 212 and 241, the stopping switch 252, the conductor 253, the contact 254, the contactor 258, the contact 259, the conductors 269 and 25L the contact 292, the contactor 295, the conductor 266, the contact 201, the contactor 296, the contact 298, the conductor 291, the winding 24I, and conductors 219, 21I and 298. To stop the motor I55, the stopping switch 252 is opened, which opening breaks the holding circuit to the winding 24I of the relay 249, whereby the contactors 242-242 and 244 drop out of engagement with the contacts 243-243 and 245, respectively. When the contactors 242-242 move out of engagement with the contacts 243-243, the motor I55- is deenergized and the cooler 24, the drier 25 and the shearer 25 come to a stop.

When the contactors 242-242 are in engagement with the contacts 243-243, a winding 216 of the block-out relay I94 is energized through a conductor 211 and conductors 21I and 289.

When the winding 216 of the relay I94 is energized, the engagement between the contactor I92 and the contact I93 is broken, whereby the energization of the winding I39 of the holding out relay. 263 isenergized. When the-winding 295 of the.b1ockeout;relay.263-is energized, the engagement between the contacto1 262 and the contact 255 isbroken, whereby no circuit to the winding 24i of the holding relay 240 can be closed. Thus, when the motor I5! is energized, the motor I55 can not be energized.

When the cover .293 (Figs. 8 and 9) is not in its closed position, the contactor 295 (Fig. 8) of the safety holding switch I99 is out of engagement with the contacts 221 and 209, whereby the circuit to the winding24i of the relay 249 is open so that the motor I55 can not be driven. When the cover 293 (Figs. 9 and 10) is in its closed position, the contactor I98 (Fig. 8) is out of engagement with the contacts I91-I 91 so that the circuit to winding I89of the relay I14 is open and the motor I5I can not be energized.

When the strip 29 (Fig. 1) is fed into the cooling tower 24 and only the cooler is driven, the cover 293 is held in its partially open position by the hooks 299-299. However, if anyone gets too close to the entrance 32 of the cooler and pushes the cover, the cover is moved in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, and rotates the'hooks 299-209 in a clockwise direction so that a cam 299 secured to the rod 2H strikes an arm 29I of the safety stop-switch I95 and opens the switch I99, whereby the circuit to the winding I of the relay I14 is opened and the motor I5! is stopped.

When it is desired to operate the cooling tower 24, the drier 25 and the shearer 26 under manual control, such aswhen the forward end of the strip 29 is guided to the drier, and the shear 25, the contactor 258 or" the jogging switch 255 is moved out of engagement with the contacts 254 and 259 and into engagement with the contacts 295 and 296 of the jogging switch. When the contactor 258 is'moved into engagement with the contacts 295 and 295, the holding relay 240 is energized through the following circuit: conductors 239, 249, 250 and 291, the contact 29.6, the contactor 259, the contact 295, conductors 399 and 2BI, the contactor 292, the contact 265, the conductor 255, the contact 291, the contactor 259, the contact 298, the conductor 261, the winding 24I of the holding relay 249 and the conductors 219, 2' and 238, whereby the relay 240v is actuated and the motor I55 is energized. The cooling tower, the drier, and the shearer thus may be driven as long as desired by holding the contactor 258 into engagement with the contacts 295 and 299. To stop this movement, the contactor 258 is released, whereby itmoves out of engagement with the contacts 295 and 298. This deenergizes the winding 24I, whereby the motor I55 is deenergized.

In the operation of the apparatus described hereinabove the mass of plastic material 2| (Fig. 1) is thoroughly milled in the mill 22. After the mass of material has been thoroughly milled. the strip 20. is formed by the mill, is stripped therefrom by the stripper 23 and is guided into the entrance 32 of the cooling tower 24. The starting I89 (Fig. 8) then is closed, whereby the motor I 5Iis energized and drives the conveyer elements 34 and 5.0 (Fig. 1) in'synchronization with the speed at which the strip 29 is stripped from the mill rolls 3I-3I. The conveyer elements34 and 59 then advance the strip 20 through the cooling tower in the tortuous path in which they are guided therethrough. As the strip 20 is advanced through the cooling tower, the nozzles II -3-I I3 spray cold water on the strip and cool it. When the forward end of the strip 26 reaches the stripper I 32, the stopping switch I90 (Fig. 13) is opened to stop the motor I51. The strip 28 then is cut from the mass of the material 2! (Fig. 1) at the mill and the cover 28 3 (Figs. 8 and 9) is moved to its closed position so that the motor I55 (Fig. 13) can be started.

The jogging switch 255 then is actuated until the forward end of the strip 20 is fed to the drier 25. The starting switch 246 then is closed to energize the motor I55. The motor I55 then drives the cooling tower 24, the drier and the shearer 26 at synchronized speeds, and the strip 20 is advanced through the cooling tower, the drier and the shearer, which cuts the strip 2:3 into slabs. After the strip 20 has been advanced completely through the shearer 26, the stopping switch 252 is opened, whereby the motor I55 is deenergized and the cooling tower, the drier and the shearer are stopped. The operation described hereinabove then may be repeated upon another strip similar to the strip 25.

The apparatus described hereinabove serves to positively engage the strip 20 (Fig. 1) and convey it without permanent deformation through the cooling tower 24 in synchronization either with the mill 22, or the drier 25 and the shearer 26. The apparatus serves to cool, dry and shear the strip 20 very rapidly and eifectively. The conveyer elements 34 and 50 positively engage the strip 2!! and convey it through the drier 25 without stretching the strip, whereby the strip is not deformed by the cooling operation.

Since the cooling tower 24 is relatively high and the conveyer elements 35 and 50 course together upwardly and downwardly distances al most equal to the height of the cooling tower, the cooling tower cools long lengths of strips very efilciently, but occupies a relatively small amount of floor space. Since the slats 42- 42 and 52-52 positively engage the strip 20 at short distances as they convey the strip, the strip is raised and lowered through the relatively high cooling tower without stretching the strip.

What is claimed is:

1. In a strip-handling apparatus, an endless conveyer element having a plurality of slats spaced uniforml along the length thereof, means for driving the conveyer element along a predetermined path to advance a strip of material engaged by the slats, a plurality of blades so mounted adjacent to the slats that the blades assume the positions of radii of a cylinder, and project between the slats, and means for revolving the blades in synchronization with the driving means, whereby the blades push the strip of material from the slats.

2. In a strip-handling apparatus, an endless conveyer element having a plurality of transverse slats spaced uniformly along the length thereof, means for driving the conveyer element along a predetermined path to advance a strip of material engaged by the slats, a plurality of blades so mounted that the blades assume the positions of radii of a cylinder and project between the slats, means for revolving the blades in synchronization with the driving means, whereby the blades push the strip of material from the slats, and means for flipping the strip of material away from the blades.

3. In a strip-handling apparatus, an endless conveyer element, means for mounting the conveyer element for movement along a predetermined path, means for moving the conveyer element along said path, a stripper positioned adjacent to a predetermined point on said path for moving a strip of material carried by the conveyer element out of engagement with the conveyer element, and a roller mounted adjacent to the stripper for flipping the strip of material away from the conveyer element and the stripper.

4. In a strip-handling apparatus, an endless conveyer element having a plurality of T-shaped slats spaced uniformlytherealong, a secondendless conveyer element having a plurality of T-shaped slats spaced uniformly therealong, means for'guiding the conveyer elements along paths in which the slats of a portion of the first conveyer element are staggered with respect to and are spaced closely to the slats of a portion of the second conveyer element, a, plurality of radially extending stripper blades, means for mounting the stripper blades in positions in which they project between and beyond the'slats of one of the conveyer elements at one point in the path thereof, means for separating the two conveyer elements at said'point, and means for driving the conveyer elements and the stripper blades in synchronization.

5. In a strip-handling apparatus, a pair of matched roller chains, a plurality of T-shaped slats carried by and extending between the chains, a pair of U-shaped guide tracks fitting ever the chains to guide the chains along predetermined paths, a second pair of mat'ched roller chains, a plurality of T-shaped slats which are longer than the first slats carried by and extending between the second pair of chains, and a second pair of U-shaped guide tracks positioned outside of and parallel to the first. pair of LJ-shaped tracks'for guiding the second pair of chains in paths parallel to the paths of the first tracks fitting over the chains to guidethe chains therealong, a second pair of matched chains, a second group of T-shaped slats which are longer than the first-mentioned slats, means for securing each of the second group of slats to the second pair of chains in a position in which it is perpendicular thereto, a plurality of stanchions for spacing the second group of slats from the second pair of chains, and a second pair of U-shaped guide tracks positioned outsideof and parallel to the first-mentioned pair of U-shaped tracks for guiding the second pair of chains in paths parallel to the paths of the first-mentioned pair of chains, the slats carried by the second pair of chains being provided with relieved portions to provide clearance for the first-mentioned pair of guide tracks.

'7. In a strip-handling apparatus, a' pair of U-shaped guide tracks, a pair of roller chains positioned in said guide tracks, a plurality of T-shaped slats carried by and extending between said chains, a second'pair of"U-shaped guide tracks positioned in the same plane as and spouse outside of the first mentioned pair of guide tracks, a secondpair of roller chains carried in the second pair of guide tracks, and aplurality of T-shaped slats of greater length than. said first-mentioned slats carried by the second pair of chains and extending from one to the other of'the second pair of chains, the slats carried by the second pair of chains being provided with relieved portions to provide clearance for the first-mentioned pair of guide tracks.

8. In a strip-handling apparatus, a pair of matchedroller chains having links of the same pitch, a group of slats of equal lengths extending from one to the other of the chains and secured to the -central portions of links thereof, a second .of matched roller'chains which are identical with. the first-mentioned pair of chains, a second group of slats, means carried by the second pair of roller chains and secured. to the central portions of the links thereof for connecting the second group of slats to the second pair of chains, a drive-shaft, a pair of identical sprockets keyed to the driving shaft for advancing the first pair of roller chains, 2. second pair of sprockets which are identical with-thefirst pair of sprockets and are keyed to the drive shaft in bracketing relationship with respect to the first pair of sprockets for advancing the second pair of chains, said connecting meansbei-ng relieved to provide clearance for the first pair of chains and for the first pair of sprockets means for guiding portions of the first pair of chains being advanced toward the first sprockets in a straight line, and means for guiding portions of the second pair of chains in paths parallel to said portions of the first pair of chains and for positioning the last-mentioned slatsfor movement along a plane spaced close to the path along which the first slats move, whereby a relatively thick strip of material is interlaced between the slats and is positively carried thereby.

9. A strip-handling apparatus, which comprises an endless conveyer element having aipair of chains and a plurality of slats secured to and extending between the chains, a second endless conveyer element having a second pair of chains and a plurality of slats secured to and extending between the last-mentioned chains, said lastmentioned slats being longer than the first-mentioned slats and. being provided with relieved end portions to provide clearance for the first chains when the first chains are parallel with and are spaced between the second pair of chains, a pair of sprockets, means for guiding the second pair of chains to the sprockets, said sprockets serving to guide the second chains in an arcuate path, means for guiding the second pair of chains from the sprockets, and a pair of arcuate guide tracks positioned between the sprockets for guiding the first pair of chains in paths parallel to the paths "around the sprockets of the second pair of chains.

'10. In a conveyer, an endless conveyer element, a second endless conveyer element, means for guiding the conveyer elements in paths in which portions of the conveyer elements course together and portions thereof are separated, means for engaging portions of the conveyer elements coursing together to: drive the conveyer elements along their respective paths in indexed relation- :ship, means engaging a portion of the first conveyer element separated from the other conveyer element for adjusting the tautness of the first affecting the indexedrel'ationship of the conveyer elements, andmeans engagingv a portion of the second conveyer element separated from the first conveyer element for adjusting the tautness oi the second conveyer element, whereby the second conveyer element may be adjusted without affectingv the indexed relationship of the conveyer elements.

11. In a strip-handling apparatus, an endless conveyer element including a, pair of chains, a second endless conveyer element including a pair of chains, a group of driving sprockets in engagement with the chains of the conveyer elements, a shaft upon which the sprockets are keyed. means for driving the shaft to advance the con.- veyer elements, whereby the conveyer elements may advance a strip of material therewith, a pair of sprockets in engagement with the chains of the first-mentioned conveyer element, a second pair of sprockets in engagement with the chains of the second conveyer element, a second shaft upon the said pairs of sprockets are mounted, at least one of the first-mentioned pair of sprockets being keyed to the second shaft, at least one of the second pair of sprockets being frictionally secured to the second shaft, a friction drive for driving the second shaft, a third pair of sprockets in engagement with the first-mentioned conveyer element, a fourth pair of sprockets in engagement with the second conveyer element, a third shaft upon which the sprockets of the third and fourth pairs are mounted, at least one of the sprockets of the third pair being keyed to the third shaft and at least one of the sprockets of the fourth pair being frictionally secured to the third shaft, and a second friction drive for driving the third shaft.

12. A strip-handling apparatus, which comprises an endless conveyer having a pair of chains and a plurality of slats secured to and extending between the chains, a second endless conveyer having a second pair of chains and a plurality of slats secured to and extending between the lastmentioned chains, said last-mentioned slats being longer than the first-mentioned slats and being provided with relieved end portions to provide clearance for the first pair of chains when the first pair of chains are parallel with and are spaced between the second pair of chains, a pair of sprockets for guiding the second pair of chains in an arcuate path, and a second pair of sprockets positioned between the first pair of sprockets for guiding the first pair of chains in paths parallel to and in the same plane as the paths of the secand pair of chains.

13. In a strip-handling apparatus, an endless conveyer including a pair of endless chains,v a shaft, a pair of main drive sprockets fastened positively to the shaft for engaging the chains, a second endless conveyer including a pair of chains, the chains of one of the conveyers bracketing the chains of the other conveyer, a second pair of main drive sprockets fastened positively to the shaft for engaging thechains of the second conveyer, means for rotating the shaft to advance the conveyers at a predetermined rate of speed, a second shaft spaced from the first shaft, a pair of auxiliary drive sprockets mounted on the second shaft for engaging the chainsof one of the conveyers, at least one of the auxiliary drive sprockets being fastened positively to the second shaft, a second pair of auxiliary drive sprockets mounted on the second shaft for engaging the chains of the other conveyer, a friction clutch for connecting one of the second pair of auxiliary drive. sprockets to the second shaft, and

slipping drive tending to rotate the auxiliary drive sprockets at such rates of speed as to advance the conveyers at a greater rate of speed than that at which the main drive sprockets advance the conveyers.

14. In a strip-handling apparatus, a pair of matched roller chains, a plurality of slats carried by and extending between the chains, a pair of guide tracks fitting over the chains to guide the chains along predetermined paths, a second pair of matched roller chains, a plurality of slats which are longer than the first slats carried by and extending between the second pair of chains, and a second pair of guide tracks positioned outside of and parallel to the first pair of guide tracks for guiding the second pair of chains in paths parallel to the paths of the first pair of chains, the slats carried by the second pair of chains being provided with relieved portions to provide clearance for the first pair of guide tracks.

15. In a strip-handling apparatus, a pair of matched roller chains, a group of slats, means for securing each of the slats to the chains in a position in which it is perpendicular to the chains, a pair of guide tracks for guiding said pair of chains therealong, a second pair of matched chains, a second group of slats which are longer than the slats of the first-mentioned group, means for securing each of the second-mentioned group of slats to the second-mentioned pair of chains in a position in which it is perpendicular thereto, a plurality of spacers for spacing the second-mentioned group of slats from the secondmentioned pair of chains and for providing clearance for the first-mentioned pair of guide tracks, and a second pair of guide tracks positioned outside of and parallel to the first-mentioned pair of guide tracks for guiding the second-mentioned pair of chains in paths parallel to the paths of the first-mentioned pair of chains.

16. In a strip-handling apparatus, a pair of matched endless chains, a group of slats, means for securing the slats to the chains, in positions extending from one to the other of the chains, a second pair of matched endless chains, a second group of slats which are longer than the first group of slats, means for securing the slats of the second group to the second pair of chains in positions extending from one to the other of the second pair of chains, said second group of slats having relieved portions to provide clearance for the first pair of endless chains, means for indexing the pairs of chains in positions in which the slats secured to portions of the second pair of chains are in opposed and staggered relationships with respect to the slats secured to portions of the first pair of chains, means for guiding the pairs of chains along coplanar paths which are straight in portions, concave downwardly in a portion thereof and concave upwardly in a portion thereof, all of said slat-securing means being so positioned as to mount the slats of both groups on a single side of the paths of the chains such that the slats follow paths outside of said concave downwardly portion of the first-mentioned paths and inside of the concave upwardly portion thereof, and means for driving both of the pairs of chains in synchronization to advance a strip of material engaged by the slats of the first group and the slats of the second group.

17. In a. strip-handling apparatus, a pair of 18 matched roller chains having links of the same pitch, a group of slats of equal lengths extending from one to the other of the chains for engaging one side of a strip of material, means secured to the central portions of links of the chains for connecting the slats to the chains, a second pair of matched roller chains having the links of the same pitch as the links of the first pair of chains, a second group of slats, for engaging the opposite side of a strip of material engaged by the slats of the first group, a second slat-connectin means carried by the second pair of roller chains and secured to the central portions of the links thereof for connecting the second group of slats to the second pair of chains, a pair of identical sprockets for advancing the first pair of roller chains, and a second pair of sprockets identical with and mounted concentrically and in bracketing relationship with respect to the first-mentioned pair of sprockets for advancing the second pair of chains, said second slat-connecting means being relieved to provide clearance for the first pair of chains and for the first-mentioned pair of sprockets, both of said slat-connecting means serving to mount the slats of both groups in positions such that portions of the slats move outside of the pitch circle of the sprockets as the chains are advanced over the sprockets.

18. A strip-handling apparatus, which comprises a pair of chains, a second pair of chains, a pair of identical sprockets for engaging the second pair of chains, said sprockets serving to guide the second pair of chains in an arcuate path, arcuate means positioned between the sprockets for guiding the first pair of chains in paths coplanar to the paths around the sprockets of the second pair of chains, a group of slats for engaging a strip of material, means for securing the slats to the first-mentioned pair of chains in positions extending between those chains and so offset with respect to those chains that the strip-engaging portions of the slats follow paths inside the pitch circle of the sprockets and the arcuate means, a second group of slats for engaging a strip of material engaged by the first-mentioned slats, means for securing the second group of slats to the second pair of chains in positions extending between those chains and so offset with respect to those chains that the strip-engaging portions of the slats follow paths inside the pitch circle of the sprockets and the arcuate means, said lastmentioned slat-securing means being relieved to provide clearance for the arcuate means and the first-mentioned chains.

VINCENT A. RAYBURN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 773,297 Nash Oct. 25, 1904 1,583,034 Valerius et al May 4, 1926 1,696,386 Corey Dec. 25, 1928 1,676,714 Smallidge July 10', 1928 1,699,489 Lewis Jan. 15, 1929 1,846,324 Finn Feb. 23, 1932 2,001,345 Forty May 14, 1935 2,248,333 Burbank July 8, 1941 2,249,792 Skinner July 22, 1941 2283,022 Wallgren 2 May 12, 1942 

